Cracking down on special interest groups

The secretive groups that finance a great deal of campaign ads could soon face campaign finance restrictions similar to those imposed on candidates.

The Government Accountability Board on Tuesday launched a rule-making process that would require those groups to disclose where their money comes from and limit who can donate to them. Mike McCabe with the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign says the change is needed because those groups currently don't have to disclose anything. He says there are no contribution limits or restrictions on corporate money being used to fuel attack ads close to elections.

McCabe says such a rules change would make candidates matter again by taking away the ability of the phony groups to hijack elections.

When finished, the rules proposal will need legislative approval. McCabe expects lawmakers to face pressure from groups that benefit from the current system. However, he says the public has a right to know and lawmakers should support that.